Poitou-Style Pea Soup

As a child my Dad loved green pea soup, and ate it religiously. I thought he was completely crazy, and even the smell sent me running to my room. Granted he ate the canned kind so maybe he kind of was ;)

Now however I have seen the light and there is nothing I love more than a bowl of pea soup. There is something incredibly refreshing and light about it, it is honestly perfect at any time of the year. Oh, and the crostini, my new favorite snack in to have in the middle of the afternoon :)

Pea Soup (From Great soups, Empty Bowls):

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 onion thinly sliced
• 5 cups frozen peas
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp savoury
• 3 Tbsp fresh parsley
  
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 3 cups butter lettuce chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Heat butter in soup pot. Add onions and cooked until softened, but not browned. Add peas, herbs, sugar and lettuce and toss until coated. Add broth, and salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Using blender, puree soup in batches until smooth. Serve either hot or cold.

Over Sized crostini:

• 1/4 cup ricotta
• Sliced French bread
• 2 Tbsp walnuts chopped

Spread ricotta on bread, and sprinkle to with walnuts. Place in toaster over or normal oven until bread it crisp.

Serve with soup.

Enjoy!